Our walk started at Petworth Park, which is a 700-acre deer park designed by Capability Brown.

From the car park at the northern end of the park, we followed tracks which led southwards through the park, where we saw many deer and had stunning views of the surrounding countryside from one of the several low hills.

We then reached the larger of the two ponds located in the park, with views of Petworth House on the left and wild fowl on the pond to the right.

Circling around the pond we then turned north, climbing another hill, with further views of the deer and the South Downs National Park.

We left the park through a gate in the west wall, leading to the hamlet of Upperton.

Upperton is situated up a hill, just to the north of Tillington.

After walking up through the hamlet, we took a lane towards Pitshill House.

This large house, located in several acres of land, has recently been completely renovated.

Walking southwards by the boundary of the estate, we were afforded very pleasant views of both the house and its grounds, in which there were many grazing sheep.

From here a lane, from which we had views of the South Downs, took us to the hamlet of River.

From River we overlooked the valley of the River Lod to Lodsworth and Bexley Hill, on the other side of the valley.

The River Lod is a short river whose source is on Marley Heights near Haslemere and which eventually joins the River Rother at Lods Bridge south of Halfway Bridge.

However, this river had considerable economic importance in the past.

Its water formerly powered Lurgashall mill and also powered the bellows for a blast furnace where iron cannon were cast during the Civil War.

We walked down through the hamlet towards the river and then turned eastwards through woods to climb up a steep north-facing scarp towards Pitshill House.

Before reaching the house, we turned along a ridge path which gave occasional glimpses to the north towards Blackdown.

This path then led us all the way back to the boundary wall of Petworth Park.

We re-entered the park and the track back to the car park led us very close to large herds of deer.

It being rutting season, two males obliged us by locking horns as they fought.

It was a most enjoyable walk.

Christine Tully